Locals get their kicks

Locals get their kicks

10 September 2014

TWO local kickboxers are one fight away from being crowned world champions.

Tyrella’s Samantha Robb and Ballygowan’s Darren McMullan are hoping to be elevated to lords of the ring when they fight for world titles on Saturday night in Belfast.

The long wait is nearly over for both fighters when Samantha has her chance of making history as the first Down girl to became a world champion when she takes on Sona Peredejova of Slovakia for the WKN Welterweight world kickboxing title at the welterweight division 66.7kg.

Darren also goes for broke when he fights Germany’s David Wachs in a WKN Amateur Middleweight 76kg title fight.

The Ulster Hall in Belfast will see the Lords of the Ring event end the long three month, non-stop gruelling training regime for Samantha and Darren.

The East Down girl is undefeated as a kickboxer and holds British and European championships and is positively itching to get into the ring and take a world title for herself.

Dedicated sports fans are counting down the days and hours to see her and Darren in action. The event will celebrate 25 years since her coach and mentor, Billy Murray, won the first kickboxing professional world title for Ireland and it’s all at the same venue on the same night only back in September 1989.

Sporting fans who’ve seen Samantha before will know she puts on a brilliant performance. The broadcast journalism student, writer, and poet, has travelled throughout Europe to clock up her wins and is delighted to be competing for the biggest fight of her life her on home turf.

Samantha, who trains out of ProKick Gym, holds an impressive record which is made up of 14 fights and 0 losses. She holds a British and European title as well as double gold medal awards from the World Martial Arts Games in Geneva.

She has many skills outside of the ring, but for now is focusing on a World title, Samantha fights with precision and gives an excellent technical performance, so expect a show-stopper.

Darren stared training at ProKick at the start of 2009 and since then has had numerous fights. He had his first bout in 2010, but due to an unrelated shoulder injury, was unfortunately out of action for almost a year.

Darren holds a purple belt in the syllabus side of the sport and now is determined to win a world title after only five years in the sport.

The Lords of the Ring show opens its doors on Saturday night at the Ulster Hall and will feature seven World title fights on the card.

A show of this magnitude has never been attempted before in Europe and for some, the cracks are starting to show. There are limited tickets available, but can get the last remaining few by contacting ProKick Gym on 02890 651074, emailing info@prokick.com or popping in to the gym itself on Wilgar Street.

Alternatively, call the Ulster Hall box office on 02890 334455, or click-Bow to www.prokick.com for more information.